Control for pressing machine



Nov. 9, 1965 G. J. SALINETT ETAL 3,216,134

CONTROL FOR PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed April 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE J. SALINETT BY ALBERT KAGI ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1965 J. SALINETT ETAL 3,216,134

CONTROL FOR PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed April 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE d. SALINETT ALBERT KAGI ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,216,134 CONTROL FOR PRESSING MACHINE George J. Salinett, deceased, late of Fayetteville, N.Y., by Sylvia F. Salinett, executrix, Fayetteville, N.Y., and Albert Kagi, Syracuse, N.Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Ametek, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 803,681, Apr. 2, 1959. This application Dec. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 418,589 8 Claims. (CI. 38-41) This in a continuation of application Serial No. 803,681 filed Apr. 2, 1959, and entitled Control & Method For Pressing Machines, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to pressing machines and in particular to an improved garment-pressing machine and control therefor.

The well-known garment-pressing machine comprises a frame, a stationary buck on the frame, and movable pressing head pivotally mounted on a frame for movement relative to the buck from an open position removed from the buck into a pressure-applying position in high-pressure engagement with the buck. Various controls have been suggested for such standard pressing machines, which are used primarily by clothing manufacturers, dry cleaners, and laundries, to enable the automatic and semi-automatic movement of the movable pressing head relative to the stationary buck. Such automatic controls are intended to reduce operator fatigue and to achieve uniformity in pressing from garment to garment.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide and improve pressing machine and control which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a pressing machine suitable for use in garment manufacturing, drying, cleaning and laundry establishments which is capable of automatically providing multiple discrete positions for the stationary buck and movable head relative to each other as controlled by the machine operator.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a pressing machine which comprises a frame, a stationary buck mounted on a frame and a movable pressing head mounted on a frame for movement into multiple discrete positions relative to the buck including an open position removed from the buck, a standoff position in space confronting relation to the buck and a pressure-applying position in high-pressure engagement with the buck. Actuating mechanisms are provided for selectively moving the head relative to the buck, which actuating mechanisms include first means operatively connected to the head for moving the head between the open and standoff positions and second means operatively connected to the head for moving the head between the standoff and pressure-applying positions. Preferably, the actuating mechanisms embody a separate piston and cylinder assembly appropriate for pneumatic operation. Control mechanisms are operatively connected to the actuating mechanisms for selectively moving the head into the several positions under control of the machine operator.

As a feature of the invention, provision may be made for admitting top steam to the movable head automatically and in response to movement of the movable head from the open position into the standoff position. Additionally, provision may be further made for automatically applying vacuum to the buck in response to movement of the movable head from the high-pressure position into the standoff position. These additional features, in conjunction with the automatic control, enable diverse sequences of operation as will be apparent as the description herein proceeds.

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The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, herein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with parts shown in phantom, showing the essential mechanisms of a pressing machine suitable for use with the control embodying features of the present invention, the full line showing of the pressing head corresponding to the pressure-applying position, the next adjacent dotted line showing of the pressing head corresponding to the standoff position wherein the pressing head is in space confronting relation to the buck, and the other dotted line showing corresponding to the open position wherein the movable pressing is removed from the stationary buck; and,

FIG. 2 is a schematic and diagrammatic view showing the actuating and control mechanism for achieving the multiple movements of the instant pressing machine.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a pressing machine embodying features of the present invention which includes a frame having a horizontally extending table 101. Extending in space parallel relation above the table 101 is a stationary buck 103 which is mounted on the table 101 by an upright or standard 106. As is generally understood, a head-supporting yoke 102 in the form of a double-arm lever is pivotally mounted on the frame 100 rearwardly of the stationary buck 103 at a horizontally-extending yoke shaft or pivot P. The upwardly and forwardly directed arm of the yoke 102 carries a movable or top pressing head 104 which may be moved from the open position (see showing of the yoke 102 and the head), into the standoff position in spaced confronting relation to the buck 103 (designated by the reference numeral 104A) and into the pressure-applying position (shown by the full lines in FIG. 1). A typical work piece is generally designated by the reference number 105 and is shown draped over the buck 103 and engaged by the movable pressing head 104. The several discrete positions for the movable pressing head 104 are established by pneumatic actuating mechanisms which selectively move the head 104 between the open, standoff, and pressure-applying positions.

The pneumatically controlled actuating mechanisms for the movable pressing head 104 include a first cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51 which is operatively connected to the pressing head 104 for moving the pressing head between the open position and the standoff position and a second cylinder and piston assembly 57, 48 for moving the pressing head between the standoff position and the pressure-applying position. Specifically, the piston 50 of the standoff-position and the cylinder assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame 100 and has its piston rod 51 connected to the arm of the yoke 102 remote from the pressing head 104. The cylinder 47 of the pressure applying cylinder and piston assembly 47, 48 is likewise pivotally mounted on the frame 100 with the piston 48 thereof being connected to one arm of a double-arm lever 107 pivotally mounted on the frame at 110. The other arm of the double-arm lever has a pivotal connection 109 to a connecting link 108 which in turn is connected to the yoke 102 at a point spaced below the pivotal connection thereto of the piston rod 51.

The head-standoff cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51 .as well as the pressure-applying cylinder and piston assembly 47, 48 operate against counterbal'ancing springs 111 which have a pivotal connection 112 at their upper ends to the yoke 102 at a point spaced rearwardly of the pivot P and have their lower ends pivotally mounted on the frame 100 at 113. As it is generally understood,

provision is made for heating the pressing head 104 and for applying top steam to the work piece 105 on the head, either manually or automatically as will be described. Further provision is made for drawing vacuum on the buck 103, as is generally understood and for a purpose to be hereafter described. The pressing machine is equipped with the usual controls which in this illustrative embodiment incorporate, among others, the illustrated pressure-position control 54 which is actuated by the handle or lever 55. Further features and aspects of the present pressing machine will be more fully appreciated during the detailed description of the control embodied in FIG. 2. Since the pressing machine is subject to a wide latitude of change and variation in accordance with the understanding of those skilled in this art, further description of a typical and suitable pressing machine for the instant control will be dispensed within the interest of brevity.

The pneumatic position control illustrated in FIG. 2 includes the standoff-position actuating mechanisms 50, 51 and the head-pressure-position actuating mechanisms 47, 48, both previously described. The illustrated control for such cylinder and piston assemblies includes five hand controls and two pedal controls, namely right and left standoff-position controls 1, 2, .a standoff-position foot control 5, identical right and left release valves 3, 4, a manually operable pressure-position control 54, 55 and a pedally-operated vacuum control 6. Conveniently, the pressure-position control 54, 55 is mounted on the movable pressing head 104 (see FIG. 1) immediately contiguous to the top steam control 56 which has a operating lever 7c.

Since the hand controls 1 to 4 inclusive are of the usual construction and are commercially available standard uni-ts, it will suffice to briefly describe only one such hand control in detail. Specifically, the right standoffposition control 1 is seen to include a pivoted finger button 1a which is efiective to operate the valve thereof to selectively port air from an inlet line 16 to an outlet line 20, the valve normally being ported to the atmosphere through the air exhaust and mufller 1b. The foot controls are likewise of conventional construction. For example, the foot control 5 for establishing the standoffposition includes a valve for selectively connecting the air inlet line 19 to line 22 which valve is operated by means of a cam or crosshead 5a mounted on rod 50 connected to the foot pedal 5b. Normally the air in line 19 is ported to atmosphere through the air exhaust and mufiler 5d. The vacuum-applying mechanism, which may be pedally or automatically operated, includes the vacuum-applying cylinder 6 which actuates rod 60 through cam head 60. As is understood, rod 60 can also be actuated by the foot pedal 6b.

Air under pressure is introduced over a main air supply valve 111 to a main air supply line 10 and via branch line 16 to the air inlet of the right standoff-position control 1 and via branch line 18 to the air inlet of the leftcontact position control 2. Further, line pressure is applied to the air inlet of the control valve 5 over line 19 to conditionrthe pedally operated contact-position control. Still further, line pressure is applied via branch line 17 to the control valve of the head-standoff cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51. Still further, the main air supply line 10 is connected via branch 12 pressurereducing valve 13 and air gauge 14 such that line pressure stands against the master control valve 32 for the head-pressure cylinder and piston 47, 48. Line pressure standing against the master control valve 32 for the head pressure cylinder does not pass through to cylinder 47, 48 until the master valve is operated by air coming from line '30 into chamber 31.

The diaphragm-operated control valve 26 for the standolf-position cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51 is of conventional construction and includes a diagram 25 which is operated by the application of pressure in line 24. This is efiective to actuate the rocker 27 to manipulate the valve 26 and connect line pressure in branch line 17 to line 28 whereupon pressure is applied to the pressure side of the cylinder 50 for actuating the standoff-position cylinder and piston assembly to bring the head from the open position to the standoff-position'104A (see FIG. 1). The diaphragm 25 is actuated over line 24 from either the right contact-position control 1, the left contactposition control 2 or the pedal control 5. Specifically, the air outlet line 20 associated with the control 1 is connected via shuttle valve 21 and shuttle valve 23 to line 24 such that upon manipulation of the control button 1a, air in line 16 standing against the valve 1 is applied via line 20 and shuttle valves 21, 23 to line 24 to thereby operate the diaphragm 25 of valve 26. In this made of operation, the ball 21a of the shuttle valve 21 blocks line 22 connected to the pedal control 5 while ball 23 blocks auxiliary line 20a connected to the left standoff-position control position 2. It will be appreciated that this arrangement likewise provides for the initiation of the control sequence by applying pressure via line 24 to the diaphragm 25 by manipulation of the left standoff-position control 2 or the pedal control 5. The application of line pressure to line 28 and the corresponding actuating of the standoff-position cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51 moves the head 104 into the standoff-position. Simultaneously pressure is applied in line 29 to achieve two functions, namely, to condition the pressure-position control 54, 55 and to obtain automatic application of top steam in the standoff position. Pressure is applied over bypass valve 52 having the needle control 53 and line 57 to diagram valve 7 which moves the actuating members 7a, 7b associated with the topstream valve 56.

Movement of the head 104 into the standoiT-position spaced from the buck 103 under control of the cylinder and piston assembly 50, 51 is achieved against the biasing effect of the spring 111, with the force developed by the assembly 50, 51 being sufiicient to overcome the spring bias and to establish an equilibrium position wherein the head 104 is spaced from the buck 103 and is in the desired standoff-position. It will be appreciated that this position may be varied by controlling the biasing effect of the springs 111, the force exerted by the standoff-position cylinder and piston assembly 50, or the effective leverage system associated therewith.

As previously indicated, the admission of pressure to line 28 is effective to condition the pressure-position valve 54 such that upon manipulation thereof air is applied from line 29 over line 30 to the master control valve 32 for a purpose to be subsequently described. The adjusted pressure passed through bypass valve 52 into line 57 and to the diaphragm valve 7 for achieving automatic steaming of the work piece 105 in the standoff-position. The handle 70 is seen to provide a means for manually operating the top steam valve 56 which means may be manually controlled any time during the machine cycle. However, it will be appreciated that automatic steaming may be included as part of the machine cycle in response to operating either of the manual standoit-position controls 1, 2 or the pedal standoflF-position control 5.

The master control valve 32 which has pressure standing against the air inlet via line 12 and is controlled over line 30 via pressure-position control 54 is of conventional construction and includes the usual valve body, a supply air inlet connected to line 12, a supply air outlet 33 connected to the pressure side of cylinder and piston assembly 47, 48, a control inlet 31 connected to the control line 30, and a feed back outlet connected via line 34 and valve 34a to the usual self-locking chamber which has an air exhaust connected via lines 39, 40, 40a and 40b to the pressure-release controls 3, 4. As is usual in this type of master control valve, the self-locking side of the valve may be ported to atmosphere by connecting exhausting line 38 to atmosphere in response to manipulation of the pressure-release controls 3, 4.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What we claim is:

1. A pressing machine comprising a frame, a stationary buck on said frame, a movable head mounted on said frame for movement into multiple discrete positions relative to said buck including an open position removed from said buck, a standoff position in spaced confronting relation to said buck and a pressure-applying position in high-pressure engagement with said buck, and actuating mechanisms for selectively moving said head relative to said buck including first means operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said open and standoff positions, second means operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said standoff and pressure-applying positions, and control mechanisms for said first and second means for moving said head from said open position successively into said standoff and pressure-applying positions.

2. A pressing machine according to claim 1 including valve means for admitting top steam to said movable head, and means responsive to movement of said movable head from said open position into said standoff position for operating said valve to automatically apply top steam to said movable head when in said standoff position.

3. A pressing machine according to claim 1 including means for applying vacuum to said buck, and means responsive to movement of said movable head from said pressure-applying position into said standoff position for operating the vacuum-applying means to automatically apply vacuum to said buck when in said standoff position.

4. A pressing machine comprising a frame, a stationary buck on said frame, a movable head mounted on said frame for movement into multiple discrete positions relative to said buck including an open position removed from said buck, a standoff position in spaced confronting relation to said buck and a pressure-applying position in highpressure engagement with said buck, and pneumaticallycontrolled actuating mechanisms for selectively moving said head relative to said buck including a first piston and cylinder operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said open and standoff positions, a secand piston and cylinder operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said standoff and pressureapplying positions, and pneumatically-operated control mechanisms for said actuating mechanisms for moving said head between said open, standoff and pressure-applying positions.

5. A pressing machine according to claim 4 including valve means for admitting top steam to said movable head, and means responsive to movement of said movable head into said standoff position for operating said valve to automatically apply top steam to said movable head when in said standoff position.

6. A pressing machine according to claim 4 wherein said control mechanisms include a standoff position control and means for admitting air under pressure into said first cylinder in response to actuation of said standoff position control for moving said first piston through its stroke to thereby move said head from said open position into said standoff position.

7. A pressing machine according to claim 4 wherein said control mechanisms include a pressure position control, means responsive to actuation of said first piston and cylinder for conditioning said pressure position control for applying air under pressure to said second piston and cylinder, and means responsive to actuation of said pressure position control for actuating of said second piston and cylinder.

8. A pressing machine comprising a frame, a stationary buck on said frame, a movable head mounted on said frame for movement into multiple discrete positions rela tive to said buck including an open position removed from said buck, a standoff position in spaced confronting relation to said buck and a pressure-applying position in high-pressure engagement with said buck, and pneumatically-controlled actuating mechanisms for selectively moving said head relative to said buck including a first piston and cylinder operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said open and standoff positions, a second piston and cylinder operatively connected to said head for moving said head between said standoff and pressure-applying positions, and pneumatically-operated control mechanisms for said actuating mechanisms for moving said head into said positions, said control mechanisms including a standoff position control, means for admitting air under pressure into said first cylinder in response to actuation of said standoff position control for moving said first piston through its stroke to thereby move said head from said open position into said standoff posi tion, a pressure position control, means responsive to actuation of said first piston and cylinder for conditioning said pressure position control for applying air under pressure to said second piston and cylinder, and means responsive to actuation of said pressure position control for actuation of said second piston and cylinder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,679,815 8/28 Davis 38-40 2,644,254 7/53 Schultz 38-15 2,651,125 9/53 Cole et al 384l 2,703,939 3/55 Clarke 3841 2,721,406 10/55 Lornitzo 384l 2,971,281 2/61 Neckel 384l JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRESSING MACHINE COMPRISING A FRAME, A STATIONARY BUCK ON SAID FRAME, A MOVABLE HEAD MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT INTO MULTIPLE DISCRETE POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID BUCK INCLUDING AN OPEN POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID BUCK, A STANDOFF POSITION IN SPACED CONFRONTING RELATION TO SAID BUCK AND A PRESSURE-APPLYING POSITION IN HIGH-PRESSURE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BUCK, AND ACTUATING MECHANISMS FOR SELECTIVELY MOVING SAID HEAD RELATIVE TO SAID BUCK INCLUDING FIRST MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID HEAD FOR MOVING SAID HEAD BETWEEN SAID OPEN AND STANDOFF POSITIONS, SECOND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID HEAD FOR MOVING SAID HEAD BETWEEN SAID STANDOFF TO SAID HEAD FOR MOVING SAID HEAD BETWEEN SAID STANDOFF AND PRESSURE-APPLYING POSITIONS, AND CONTROL MECHANISMS 